Reflexiones sobre despoblación y territorio en la provincia de Jaén

The population of Jaén is in decline and is expected to have lost almost one hundred thousand inhabitants by 2037 compared to the number of residents in 2012. This loss is spatially selective, increasing territorial imbalances. Compared to what happened in other historical moments, the main cause of depopulation is now due to the existence of a negative vegetative balance. Although the most populated places are better able to resist, they also face the difficulty of retaining and attracting young people, the reason for their maintenance being basically the result of the gradual increase in life expectancy. Parallel to these demographic and spatial changes, land occupation and its agricultural uses have been profoundly transformed. This paper presents the data that allow an understanding of what has happened and arguments to try to anticipate the most negative effects that could occur in the immediate future.